Monterey Jack facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monterey Jack |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Region | California |
| Town | Monterey |
| Source of milk | Cows |
| Texture | Semihard, creamy |
| Aging time | 1-6 months |
Monterey Jack, often called Jack, is a popular American cheese. It is a white, semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. People love it for its mild taste and a hint of sweetness. Many consider it a truly "American original" cheese. Its history goes back to the time when California was under Spanish rule in the early 1800s.
This cheese is great to eat on its own. It's also often mixed with other cheeses. For example, it can be marbled with Colby to make Colby-Jack. Or, it can be blended with yellow cheddar to create cheddar-Jack. There's also Pepper Jack, which has chili peppers and herbs for a spicy kick. A harder type called Dry Jack is aged for a longer time.
Contents
How Monterey Jack Cheese Started
Monterey Jack cheese first appeared in the 1700s. It was made by Franciscan friars in Monterey, which was then part of Alta California. Later, a businessman named David Jacks began selling this cheese. People started calling it "Jacks’ Cheese," and eventually, it became known as "Monterey Jack." Other farmers in the area also made this cheese. One famous producer was Andrew Molera, whose dairy in Big Sur made especially good Monterey Jack.
How Monterey Jack Is Aged
Most Monterey Jack cheese you find in stores is soft. It is usually aged for only about one month. However, there is a harder type called "Dry Jack." This cheese is aged for a much longer time, sometimes up to six months.
What Monterey Jack Is Used For
Monterey Jack is a great melting cheese. It is often used inside California-style burritos and some Mexican-style burritos (like bean and cheese burritos). You can also put it on cheeseburgers or use it to make grilled cheese sandwiches. Because it melts well and has a mild flavor, it's also good in some pasta dishes.
Different Kinds of Monterey Jack
Dry Jack
Dry Jack cheese was discovered by accident in 1915. A wholesaler in San Francisco forgot about some fresh Jack cheese he had stored. During World War I, it became hard to get hard cheese from Europe. When he found the forgotten cheese, it had aged into a hard product. His customers found it was a great replacement for classic hard cheeses like Parmesan.
Pepper Jack
Pepper Jack is a spicy version of Monterey Jack. It gets its flavor from hot chili peppers, bell peppers, and herbs.
Cheese Blends
Monterey Jack is often blended with other cheeses to add more flavor and make it look interesting. It can be mixed with Colby to create Colby-Jack. Or, it can be combined with yellow cheddar cheese.
Monterey Jack and Headaches
Some people get headaches from certain foods. Monterey Jack cheese has a low amount of a substance called tyramine. Tyramine is sometimes linked to headaches. Because of this, Monterey Jack is often suggested as a safe cheese for people who suffer from migraines.
See also
In Spanish: Monterey Jack para niños
